What weighs more, muscles or fat?

June 19, 2015 2:49 AM

If you've ever started a workout plan only to find the scale doesn’t budge, you're not alone.

Weight checking on a scale

If you've ever started a workout plan only to find the scale doesn’t budge, you're not alone.

Both cardio exercise and resistance training can build muscle and reduce fat, so just because the number on the scale stays the same, it doesn’t mean all that exercise is going to waste.

Muscle has a much greater density than fat, meaning it takes up less volume than an equal mass of fat.

This explains why it’s possible to get visibly slimmer without a significant drop in weight.

The Truth Behind the Myth

Ever heard the claim that a pound of muscle weighs more than a pound of fat? False!

A pound is a pound but because a pound of fat takes up about four times the space of muscle tissue, it’s possible to look and feel trimmer even if body weight remains the same.

Of course, it’s also possible to weigh the same, but look and feel fatter.

This is especially evident among the elderly, as muscles tend to shrink with age because damaged muscle cells are repaired at a much slower rate than when they were young.

Plus, with reduced physical activity during the golden years, the ratio of muscle to fat tends to decrease as we get older.

So while it’s a myth that muscle “weighs” more than fat, too much body fat can be a contributing factor to serious health conditions like stroke, coronary disease, and diabetes.

Although it’s difficult to determine the ideal amount of body fat for each individual, too little fat can also have unhealthy consequences, including reproductive dysfunction in women.

Accepting the body’s need for both muscle and fat is important in maintaining overall health and fueling an active lifestyle.

While the actual number of pounds might not waver after starting an exercise routine, the ratio of muscle to fat may be increasing, contributing to better health and improved overall fitness.

So after spending quality time bonding with the treadmill or the weight rack, don’t break off the relationship just because the scale isn’t moving in the “right” direction.

It might be time to put the scale aside and instead measure results with a glance in the mirror or a new personal best in the gym.